June 26
Verse of the Day for June 26
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;2 Corinthians 4:8 KJV
The Key of Strength · Day 26 of 30
Reflection · 3 min read
Courage When You Cannot See Far
Paul calls himself and his friends earthen vessels. Clay jars. The kind you find in any market, cheap and easily cracked, used for everyday storage.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
He says this deliberately. The treasure is the gospel, and it is kept in containers that look unimpressive that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. The weakness of the jar is part of the plan.
Then he lists four pairs. Hard pressed yet not crushed. Hunted yet not abandoned. Knocked down yet not finished. And one of them is surprisingly honest. we are perplexed, but not in despair.
Perplexed means confused, not sure which way to turn. An apostle admits it. He does not always know what is happening or what comes next. Faith does not remove the confusion. It stops the confusion from becoming despair.
If you cannot see far ahead this week, you are in good company. You do not need a five year plan to be faithful. Clay jars do not see the road. They are carried. Do the next right thing in front of you, and let the power be God's.
Paul was perplexed.He was not in despair.
Confusion is not the same as despair, and Paul knew the difference.
A clay jar does not need to see the road to carry the treasure.
Carry this today
Where are you perplexed right now, and how can you keep it from turning into despair?
Pray
Read 2 Corinthians 4:7–9
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
Keep praying
Reflection by Collins Asein, from the daily devotionals in the PrayerKey app. Bible text: King James Version.